Celebrating Disability Pride Month
What is Disability Pride Month?
Disability Pride Month began in Boston, USA, in 1990 – the same year the Americans with Disabilities Act was was signed into law to protect disabled people from discrimination and improve access to employment, public services, transport and everyday life.
The first Disability Pride Day was held in Boston later that year, and what started as a day of recognition has since grown into a global movement.
Why does Disability Pride matter?
According to Scope, 3 in 4 Disabled people say they’ve experienced negative attitudes.
Disability Pride is an opportunity to change the conversation around disability, challenge stigma, unfair treatment and harmful stereotypes, and champion the voices of Disabled people.
“Meaningful discussions about future provision for Kingston [must involve] people with physical disabilities.” - Feedback at a Needs of socially isolated, physically Disabled adults workshop
Everyone should be able to access healthcare in a way that meets their needs. Too often we have heard from local Disabled people that they face barriers to access that range from poor communication about services to inaccessible transport and facilities.
When the voices of Disabled communities are not heard, and their inclusion treated as an afterthought, Disabled people find themselves battling against the healthcare system, rather than supported by it.
“I am not isolated by a disability; it’s the lack of option - Feedback at a Needs of socially isolated, physically Disabled adults workshop
This Disability Pride Month we want to not only celebrate Disabled voices, but ask professionals to reflect on their inclusion of Disabled and neurodiverse experiences.
Health and care needs of socially isolated, physically Disabled adults
Social isolation can have a profound impact on mental and physical health. When we spoke to local Disabled adults, they told us about the obstacles to participation they experience that limit their ability to be part of the local community.
Youth Out Loud! Talks: Care access issues for young Disabled people
In 2024, Youth Out Loud (YOL!) reached out to the local community to understand care access issues for young Disabled people. This engagement helped inform and produce a series of podcasts on the experiences of young Disabled people and their access to NHS and social care services.
Feeling Grief Differently: Adults with autism and ADHD share their experience of bereavement
In 2025, Healthwatch Kingston spoke to adults with ADHD and autism to discuss their experiences of grief and bereavement. Their testimony is at the heart of this podcast series.
